Plant Needs

Designed by: Hope Darby     School: Pine Grove

Grade Level: fourth     Subject(s): Science

Core Curriculum Objective(s):  Investigate the relationship between the basic needs of different organisms and whether or not a particular environment meets those needs. (II A 1 c)

Overview: Students will work in groups to conduct experiments to determine the basic needs of plants. They will test tomato seedlings reaction to water, light and fertile soil. Students will record growth and descriptions in their observation journals and with the digital camera at specified times. Students will determine which environment tomato plants grow best in.

Focus/Essential Question(s): What type of environment best meets the basic needs of tomato plants?

Time Frame: one 50 minute period to set up experiment and 3 weeks of observations.

Resources/Materials: 

digital camera 
6 tomato seedlings planters 
potting soil 
sand 
water 
large cardboard box 
ruler 
measuring cup 
observation journal (small writing tablet)

Culminating Assessment: Students must turn in an individual observation journal. They must also turn in a group project report. The Observation journal is worth 40% of the grade. The Group Project Report is worth 60% of the grade. Student's observation journal should include date of observation, number of leaves, color of plants, measurement of plants and should be easy to read. 

 Group Projects Reports will be evaluated based on the following criteria. 

Instructional Activities: 

(Students should have prior knowledge about writing up experiments. Students should also have prior knowledge about types of environments. 

Students should also have prior knowledge about operating a digital camera.) 

Ask students to list what they think are the basic needs of tomato plants. Students should identify the basic needs as soil, water and light. 

Explain to students that they are going to conduct an experiment to determine how each of these things will affect tomato plants. 

Divide the class into three groups. 

Give each group 2 planters, 2 tomato plant seedlings and soil. The first group will test the effect of light on the tomato plants. They will give each plant the same amount of water. They will put one plant by the window in the sun and one plant under a cardboard box. 

The second group will test the effect of water. They will plant both plants in soil and place both by the window in the sun. They will give one plant water and the other plant will get no water. 

The third group will test how soil affects the tomato plant. They will plant one in potting soil and one in sand. The two plants should get equal amounts of water and sunlight.

 After each group has their plants ready, they should use the digital cameral to photograph the plants. They should use the camera again at the end of each week. The pictures should be printed and included with the Group Project Report. 

Students should write up their experiment as a group. Each student should also keep an observation journal. The journal entries should include information on the height of plant, coloration of plant, how many leaves are on the plant, and general condition of plant. Students should record how much water they give each plant and what days the plant is watered. 

Observations should be made daily, but they do not have to be recorded daily. Observations should be recorded every three days or more often if there is something noteworthy being observed. 

At the end of three weeks, each group should write up the experiment and turn in a report, including photos, to the teacher. Each group should share their results with the class and determine as a class how the tomato plants were affected by each of the variables. 

Conclude by asking the class if tomato plants would survive in the desert. They should recognize that a desert environment would not provide enough soil or water for tomato plants to grow. 

Ask students if the tomato plants would grow well in the rain forest. They should explain that the plants would not get enough light to grow in the rain forest. 

Students should identify an environment that is temperate with fertile soil and average rainfall and plenty of sunlight would be the best environment for tomato plants. Remind students that other plants would respond differently. For instance, some plants do not like a lot of water and would be better suited for the desert.